Estes Park Opinion

WAPA questions still not answered

Posted:
10/12/2012 08:55:48 AM MDT

Dear Editor:

To our community: The recent open houses at the Estes Park Museum regarding the proposed Western Area Power Administration rebuild of the Estes-Flatirons transmission line(s) left my questions unanswered and my confidence in WAPA's responsiveness to public input diminished.

I suggest everyone concerned about the routing and placement of industrial scale electrical transmission towers and the attendant environmental insults spend a few minutes at http://dev.responsiblelines.org/takeaction for a discussion of the issues involved, and an opportunity to submit your comments. The public scoping period ends Oct. 19, 2012, and our input will determine the scope and quality of the required Environmental Impact Study, which will determine how this project proceeds.

Thanks for caring.

David Clearman

Estes Park

A bear has got to eat

Dear Editor:

Your latest article on the bear problem fails to mention one thing; what are the bears going to eat when the garbage supply has been cut off?

Thirty years or so ago, there was an article in the Trail concerning the bear situation and how their numbers and size were small because of a lack of natural food in the area. Dr. Rick Dill had made some important observations which might be worth reviewing.

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"A fed bear is a dead bear" is true, but an unfed bear is also a dead bear, or a very aggressive hungry bear. Taking away a large percentage of the bears food supply next spring may prove interesting.

David Habecker

Estes Park

The choice is clear

Dear Editor:

Never in my voting experience have I been faced with such a starkly clear choice. What looms most immediately, of course, is the economy, but there are so many other important issues to consider. Here are some of them.

Poverty: the stories of people struggling financially are surprising as they often come from individuals working full-time jobs or enduring hardships caused through no fault of their own. The U.S Census Bureau's new poverty data for the states show millions of families struggling mightily to keep their heads above water. Fourteen states saw statistically significant increases in their child poverty rates. But the morally scandalous bottom line is clear: 16.1 million children are poor in our rich nation with more than seven million living in extreme poverty, too often scared, hungry and homeless. More than one in four children under six were poor in 21 states and the District of Columbia during their years of greatest brain development. In 30 states and the District of Columbia, 10 percent or more of infants, toddlers, and kindergartners lived in extreme poverty which means an annual family income of less than $11,511 for a family of four.

To address poverty effectively requires an understanding of its reality. Which of the candidates seems more likely to meet that requirement?

Foreign relations: the complexity of world affairs is directly related to both our economy and our national security. Uprisings and civil war in the Middle East, war in Afghanistan, recurring violence in Iraq, threats of war between Israel and Iran, the Palestinian question, governments engaged in genocide against their own people, nations on the brink of bankruptcy, trade relations with China and other nations - all these and so many other matters of extreme importance to the United States and to the world at large await the attention of the president and his choice of a Secretary of State.

Never before has there been a greater need for a cool head and steady hand. Never before has diplomacy and respect in dealings with and among nations been so crucial. Never before has the delicacy and complexity of international relations required such in-- depth understanding.

Which of the candidates seems more likely to meet these requirements?

The environment: most people now accept that global warming and its consequences are real. Religious leaders such as Pope Benedict XVI have declared that care of the planet is a moral issue. Yet the thirst for oil and other unsustainable sources of energy renders us incapable of hearing the cries of those who thirst for pure water to drink.

Which of the candidates seems more likely to hear those cries?

Health: all people of all ages need health care. Which of the candidates seems more likely to see that all receive it?

Education: a number of leading economists and researchers agree that investing in children today is the best way to prepare and create a strong America tomorrow. As Federal Reserve Chairman, Ben Bernanke, told participants at the Children's Defense Fund's national conference in July: "Economically speaking, early childhood programs are a good investment with inflation-adjusted annual rates of return on the funds dedicated to these programs estimated to reach 10 percent or higher. Very few alternative investments can promise that kind of return. Notably, a portion of these economic returns accrues to the children themselves and their families, but studies show that the rest of society enjoys the majority of the benefits, reflecting the many contributions that skills and productive workers make to the economy."

Which of the candidates puts more emphasis on the importance of education at all levels?

Immigration: we are a land of immigrants yet our immigration system is broken. Many live in fear, hiding in the shadows of anonymity. Thousands languish in prisons, some awaiting deportation, others awaiting the chance to prove that they have authentic documentation or sufficient reason to remain here. Many have died and continue to die as they attempt to escape the extreme poverty that leads them into our deserts. To date, no administration has faced the situation squarely.

Which of the candidates seems more likely to tackle this controversial issue in a just and humane way?

These are but a few of the important issues that our president will face. They are big issues, too big for partisan politics, too big to be overlooked in favor of single issues that blur the larger picture and discourage action for the common good.

Would it be too forward of me to suggest that each of us pray as we make our choice known in the voting booth this year? I hope not.

Sincerely,

Louise Olson

Estes Park

Vote for

democracy

Dear Editor:

The Republicans are backed by billions of dollars from corporations that believe that their right to pursue profit at any cost, is greater than private property rights and your right to clean air, clean water, equal pay, safe food and medicine, health care and individual freedom.

They want you to believe that the same tax cuts and deregulation that caused our economic fall in 2008, will somehow rescue us now.

They want you to believe against common sense and experience that we are not contributing to climate change so that industry can continue uninhibited while we watch crops fail and catastrophic weather events like super storms and record heat waves become normal.

They want you to believe that a government non profit health care system available to all regardless of preexisting conditions, is somehow scarier than multi billion dollar insurance companies deciding what treatment to allow, when their greatest interest is corporate profit.

They are purging voters despite a complete lack of voter fraud. They want your opinions to be formed by faux news, extrimist tv and radio entertainers and movies that are not fact checked.

For four years they have voted no to any attempt to help our country as their stated goal was to make sure that President Obama would not win a second term. For this goal they have been willing to hurt America and Americans.

If you care about our democracy, or anything other than corporate profit, you need to get out and vote for Democrats. It is that simple.

Anna Howlett

Glen Haven

A sincere, heartfelt thank you

to the

community

Dear Editor:

A few months ago I was diagnosed with a terminal illness. This on top of already being disabled from a serious and painful back injury. This new diagnosis brought with it many needs that my monthly disability check of less than $700 just couldn't cover.

Collection jars were, so graciously, placed in various businesses that wanted to extend a helping hand to me.

Although I've been an Estes Park resident for26 years, the generosity shown to me by this community was beyond any expectations I dared to even dream. When I was dealing with my darkest, most desperate time, this community showed me that I was not dealing with it alone.

To the following business, who so kindly placed collection jars in their stores to help me, I want to acknowledge their kindness and give a public expression of gratitude. A huge thank you to:

Rocky Mountain Pharmacy, True Value Hardware, The Bighorn Restaurant, Rocky Mountain Liquor, Spur Liquor, 2 Blondz' 'N A Salon, Notchtop Café, The UPS Store, The Other Side Restaurant and Dear Prudence, The Country Market and The Village Store and Giftshop.

I must give my sincerest gratitude to these very special people as well:

And most importantly, the great people of Estes Park and our visitors who show me so much generosity, caring and love when I was feeling my most alone and helpless. No words are sufficient to give the thanks that I feel toward each and everyone of you.

It's been said, "It takes a village to raise a child." We are all children of the same creator, so let it be known that you all lifted this child from desperation to gratitude. And that is why I am so proud to call this village home. I offer prayers of blessing to all of you.

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